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08/06/2007
A vision for State TheatreEnthusiasm for future of TC's downtown theater
Director Kip Williams speaks during the “Will it Play in Traverse City?” panel with, from top to bottom, Gretchen Mol, Bob Bahle and Doug Stanton. TRAVERSE CITY — Bob Bahle paused before he responded to Michael Moore's question about the outlook for success of the State Theatre. And the owner of Bay Theatre for 30 years didn't quite match the enthusiasm of the City Opera House crowd when he did speak. "I can't say how the State Theatre will do,” Bahle said, after thanking the volunteers involved in the Traverse City Film Festival. "You're going to have some tough times.” The final panel of the Traverse City Film Festival discussed the central idea behind Bahle's hesitation, drawn from his personal experience when he purchased the Bay in Suttons Bay in 1976: making and showing movies are a business. "You get that one shot, and that's how it is,” Moore said. Focus Features production president John Lyons, actress Gretchen Mol, producer Kip Williams and festival founders Doug Stanton and John Robert Williams joined Moore and Bahle in a spirited discussion about the future of films and the direction of the State Theatre. Moore gave an overview of the idea of bringing independent and overlooked films, much like the Traverse City Film Festival has done, and showing them in downtown Traverse City where people can come out for an enjoyable evening. He added that he would like the State Theatre to host theme nights Monday through Wednesday. Preliminary plans call for a free movie night on Monday, a showing of a popular movie from the film festival on Tuesday and a community night on Wednesday. The panelists applauded Moore for his passion. "If the State can become a brand name for Traverse City to the point where you can convince people they're going to have a great evening, then you can get people out of the house,” Kip Williams said. Audience members, especially those from the area, supported the idea of more independent films here when Moore opened the floor to questions. Most who raised their hands had more comments than queries, but they were united behind the concept of the State Theatre becoming a booming venue. "I think the State Theatre is a great idea,” said Carole Groves, who moved to Traverse City from Lansing two years ago. "That's one of the reasons I moved here. I like the city impact, and having places like the State Theatre are central to keeping it growing.” According to Lyons, Moore will have to convince the studios and movie theater owners that independent films can sell well in the Traverse City area; otherwise the community will be stuck with the bang-for-your-buck blockbusters. Lyons elaborated on the path studios take when deciding where and when to release a film. He said executives look at where certain niche movies will turn a profit and that Traverse City faces the dreaded label of a seasonal city. "There's the perception that Traverse City is seasonal,” Lyons said. "Studios are going to send prints to places where they think they'll make the most money.” But Moore remained optimistic about the State Theatre from his experience at the Traverse City Film Festival and his conviction about people's attitudes toward film. "I'm going to build a trust in the audience that they're not going to have a lousy time,” said Moore who added that he'll be the State's programmer. "I want you skipping out of the theater.”
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